Orthodontic member and method for producing same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an orthodontic member, having a tube shape, a hollow polygonal prism shape, a hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape, a hollow truncated cone shape, or a funnel shape, and including a water-soluble or biodegradable material, wherein the orthodontic member into which a wire is inserted is attached to the teeth, thereby making it simple to perform orthodontic treatment.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an orthodontic member and a method ofmanufacturing the same and, more particularly, to an orthodontic memberand a method of manufacturing the same, wherein orthodontic treatmentmay be simply performed even without the use of dental braces.

BACKGROUND ART

Malocclusion is a misalignment or incorrect relationship between theteeth of the two dental arches when they approach each other as the jawsclose, and the correct treatment thereof is referred to as “orthodontictreatment”. Since malocclusion leads to a poor appearance and also makesit difficult to perform pronunciation and chewing functions, a varietyof orthodontic devices for correcting misaligned teeth are being used.

The most typical orthodontic device is braces, which are used togetherwith orthodontic wire to thus move the teeth. Generally, braces play arole in transferring restorative force, caused by the wire that is bentin accordance with the form of the crooked teeth, to the teeth, andguiding the teeth so as to move in a sliding manner along the wire.

However, braces have a relatively large and complicated structure andare thus very difficult to use, and also, the braces are exposed outsideand thus visible to others during treatment, undesirably deterioratingan aesthetic appearance.

With the goal of solving such problems, an orthodontic method isperformed using wires and mini tubes in a small hollow tube form, and isdisclosed in Korean Patent No. 1,234,205, entitled ‘Orthodontic tube’.

However, the orthodontic method using the mini tubes has the followingproblems.

First, it is very difficult to insert a wire into tubes having an innerdiameter smaller than 0.5 mm attached to irregularly crooked teeth.

Second, it is impossible to insert a wire from the back of the throat,and thus, the mini tubes cannot be used for the molars (back teeth), andmay be limitedly applied to the orthodontic treatment of only theincisors (front teeth).

Therefore, there is the need to develop orthodontic methods which aresimple and universal while minimizing the discomfort felt by patients.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention is intended to provide awater-soluble or biodegradable hollow orthodontic member.

In addition, the present invention is intended to provide an orthodonticmember that facilitates the insertion of a wire and attachment to thesurface of teeth using an adhesive and enables simple orthodontictreatment.

In addition, the present invention is intended to provide an orthodonticmember, which may be dissolved or biodegraded after a predeterminedperiod of time for the orthodontic treatment, thus forming a clearancebetween the wire and the adhesive, whereby the teeth may easily move ina sliding manner along the wire.

In addition, the present invention is intended to provide an orthodonticmember having a hollow portion, wherein a center mark is formed on theorthodontic member, and thus when a wire having a center line markedthereon is assembled with the orthodontic member by being inserted intothe hollow portion thereof, the center of the orthodontic member may beeasily aligned with the center line of the wire.

In addition, the present invention is intended to provide a method ofmanufacturing the orthodontic member.

Technical Solution

An aspect of the present invention provides an orthodontic member, whichhas a tube shape, a hollow polygonal prism shape, a hollow truncatedpolygonal pyramid shape, a hollow truncated cone shape, or a funnelshape, and includes a water-soluble or biodegradable material.

Also, the orthodontic member having the tube shape may have an innerdiameter of 0.2 to 1.0 mm and a thickness of 0.001 to 0.5 mm.

Also, the hollow polygonal prism shape may be an n-gonal prism shape, inwhich n is any one integer from 3 to 20.

Also, the orthodontic member having the hollow polygonal prism shape mayhave a cross-section of a hollow polygonal shape, a circle inscribed onthe hollow polygonal shape may have a diameter of 0.2 to 1.0 mm, and theorthodontic member having the hollow polygonal prism shape may have athickness of 0.001 to 0.5 mm.

Also, the hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape may be an n-gonalhollow truncated pyramid shape, in which n is any one integer from 3 to20.

Also, the orthodontic member having the hollow truncated polygonalpyramid shape may have a cross-section of a hollow polygonal shape, anda ratio (F/f, p) of a maximum diameter (F) to a minimum diameter (f) ofa circle circumscribed on the hollow polygonal shape may be 1<p≤10.

Also, the ratio (E/e, q) of a diameter (E) of a maximum innercircumference to a diameter (e) of a minimum inner circumference in theorthodontic member having the hollow truncated cone shape may be 1<q≤10.

Also, the orthodontic member having the funnel shape may be provided ina form in which a hollow truncated cone is connected to one end of ahollow cylinder.

Also, in the orthodontic member having the funnel shape, the ratio (D/d,r) of a diameter (D) of a maximum inner circumference of the hollowtruncated cone to a diameter (d) of an inner circumference of the hollowcylinder may be 1<r≤10.

Also, the orthodontic member may be transparent or may have any onecolor selected from the group consisting of white, red, blue, yellow,green, and mixtures thereof.

Also, the orthodontic member may have a mark formed thereon.

Also, the mark may include at least one selected from among a centermark representing a center in a longitudinal direction of theorthodontic member, a working mark representing a length from the centerof the orthodontic member, and an end mark representing an end of theorthodontic member.

Also, the center mark may be represented by a predetermined colordepending on the size of an inner diameter or an outer diameter of theorthodontic member.

Also, the center mark may have a thickness of 0.1 to 5 mm.

The working mark may be provided in at least one working length on oneside or both sides of the center mark.

The end mark may be formed on one end or both ends of the orthodonticmember in the longitudinal direction.

Also, the color may be any one selected from the group consisting ofwhite, red, blue, yellow, green, and mixtures thereof, and a specificexample thereof may include white, black, red, yellow-red, yellow,yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue, blue-purple, purple, orred-purple.

Also, the water-soluble or biodegradable material may include at leastone selected from among gelatin, starch, a starch derivative, cellulose,a cellulose derivative, plant gum, agar, algine, an alginic acid salt,carrageenan, chitosan, a chitosan derivative, pectin, dextran,hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol,polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol,polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, biodegradable polyamide,biodegradable polyurethane, and biodegradable polyester.

Also, the water-soluble or biodegradable material may further include,based on 100 parts by weight of the at least one selected from amonggelatin, starch, a starch derivative, cellulose, a cellulose derivative,plant gum, agar, algine, an alginic acid salt, carrageenan, chitosan, achitosan derivative, pectin, dextran, hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide,polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneglycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide,biodegradable polyamide, biodegradable polyurethane, and biodegradablepolyester, 1 to 200 parts by weight of a compound represented byChemical Formula 1 below:

in Chemical Formula 1, n is any one integer from 1 to 8.

Also, the water-soluble or biodegradable material may include a compoundrepresented by Chemical Formula 2 below:

in Chemical Formula 2, R is independently a hydrogen atom, a deuteriumatom, a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C1 to C6 hydroxyalkyl group, n is arepeating unit, and the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 has anumber average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 9,000,000.

Another aspect of the present invention provides an orthodonticcomposite, comprising: an orthodontic member having a tube shape, ahollow polygonal prism shape, a hollow truncated polygonal pyramidshape, a hollow truncated cone shape, or a funnel shape; and anorthodontic wire that is inserted into the hollow portion of theorthodontic member, wherein the orthodontic member includes awater-soluble or biodegradable material.

Still another aspect of the present invention provides a method ofmanufacturing an orthodontic member, comprising: preparing a compositionfor an orthodontic member, comprising a solvent including water and awater-soluble or biodegradable material; coating a wire with thecomposition; drying the wire coated with the composition, thus preparingthe wire coated with the water-soluble or biodegradable material; andremoving the wire from the wire coated with the water-soluble orbiodegradable material, thus obtaining the orthodontic member having ahollow portion.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, a water-soluble or biodegradableorthodontic member can be provided.

Also, the present invention can provide an orthodontic member, whichfacilitates the insertion of a wire and the attachment to the surface ofthe teeth using an adhesive and enables simple orthodontic treatment.

Also, the present invention can provide an orthodontic member, which isdissolved or biodegraded after a predetermined period of time for theorthodontic treatment, thus forming a clearance between the wire and theadhesive, whereby the teeth can easily move in a sliding manner alongthe wire.

Also, the present invention can provide an orthodontic member having ahollow portion, wherein a center mark is formed on the orthodonticmember, and thus when a wire having a center line marked thereon isassembled with the orthodontic member by being inserted into the hollowportion thereof, the center of the orthodontic member can be easilyaligned with the center line of the wire.

Also, the present invention can provide a method of manufacturing suchan orthodontic member.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a tube shape and a rectangular prismshape, among the shapes of an orthodontic member according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the side cross-sections of the teeth,to which a water-soluble or biodegradable tube-shaped orthodontic memberaccording to an embodiment of the present invention, conventionalbraces, and conventional small hollow metal tubes are applied;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the orthodontic member according to anembodiment of the present invention, on which marks are formed;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the orthodontic member according to anembodiment of the present invention, with which a wire is assembled;

FIG. 5 is a photograph illustrating the orthodontic member according toan embodiment of the present invention, on which marks are formed;

FIG. 6 is a photograph illustrating the orthodontic member according toan embodiment of the present invention, wherein the orthodontic memberhaving marks formed thereon is assembled with the wire;

FIG. 7 illustrates the critical test process for orthodontic treatmentusing the water-soluble tube-shaped orthodontic member of Example 3according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates the front and side photographs of the clinical testresults using the water-soluble tube-shaped orthodontic member ofExample 3 according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates the clinical test process for orthodontic treatmentusing the water-soluble tube-shaped orthodontic member of Example 4according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates the front and side photographs of the clinical testresults using the water-soluble tube-shaped orthodontic member ofExample 4 according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates the results of orthodontic treatment usingconventional braces; and

FIG. 12 illustrates photographs of orthodontic treatment usingconventional hollow metal tubes.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, embodiments and examples of the present invention aredescribed in detail with reference to the appended drawings so as to beeasily performed by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

The following description does not limit the present invention tospecific embodiments, and furthermore, descriptions of known techniques,even if they are pertinent to the present invention, are consideredunnecessary and may be omitted insofar as they would make the gist ofthe invention unclear.

The terms used herein are merely intended to explain specific examplesand not to limit the present invention. Unless otherwise stated, thesingular expression includes a plural expression. In this application,the terms “include” or “have” are used to designate the presence offeatures, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or combinations thereofdescribed in the specification, and should be understood so as not toexclude presence or additional probability of one or more differentfeatures, numbers, steps, operations, elements, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an orthodontic member having a tubeshape according to an embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 1, the orthodontic member according to thepresent invention is described below.

According to the present invention, the orthodontic member has a tubeshape, a hollow polygonal prism shape, a hollow truncated polygonalpyramid shape, a hollow truncated cone shape, or a funnel shape, andincludes a water-soluble or biodegradable material.

The orthodontic member having a tube shape preferably has an innerdiameter of 0.2 to 1.0 mm and a thickness of 0.001 to 0.5 mm.

The orthodontic member having a hollow polygonal prism shape has across-section of a hollow polygonal shape, and the diameter of a circleinscribed on the hollow polygonal shape is 0.2 to 1.0 mm. The thicknessof the orthodontic member having a hollow polygonal prism shapepreferably falls in the range of 0.001 to 0.5 mm. However, the innerdiameter and the diameter thereof may vary depending on the diameter ofthe wire which is to be inserted into the hollow portion of theorthodontic member.

The hollow polygonal prism shape is an n-gonal prism shape, wherein n isany one integer from 3 to 20, preferably from 4 to 15, and morepreferably 4 to 8, and still more preferably is a hollow rectangularprism shape in which n is 4.

As for the orthodontic member having a hollow truncated cone shape, theratio (E/e, q) of the diameter (E) of the maximum inner circumference tothe diameter (e) of the minimum inner circumference is 1<q≤10,preferably 2≤q≤5, and more preferably 3≤q≤4. The orthodontic memberhaving a hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape has a cross-section ofa hollow polygonal shape, and the ratio (F/f, p) of the maximum diameter(F) to the minimum diameter (f) of a circle circumscribed on the hollowpolygonal shape is 1≤p≤10, preferably 2≤p≤5, and more preferably 3≤p≤4.

The hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape is an n-gonal truncatedpyramid shape, wherein n is any one integer from 3 to 20, preferablyfrom 4 to 15, and more preferably from 4 to 8.

The orthodontic member having a funnel shape is provided in a form inwhich a hollow truncated cone is connected to one end of a hollowcylinder, and the ratio (D/d, r) of the diameter (D) of the maximuminner circumference of the hollow truncated cone to the diameter (d) ofthe inner circumference of the hollow cylinder may be 1<r≤10. This ratiois preferably 2≤r≤5, and more preferably 3≤r≤4. Also, the orthodonticmember having a funnel shape may be provided in a form in which a hollowtruncated polygonal pyramid is connected to one end of a hollowpolygonal prism, and the ratio (C/c, s) of the maximum diameter (C) tothe minimum diameter (c) of a circle circumscribed on the hollowpolygonal cross-sectional shape of the hollow truncated polygonalpyramid is 1<s≤10, preferably 2≤s≤5, and more preferably 3≤s≤4.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, an orthodontic composite 20 composed ofthe orthodontic member 10 and an orthodontic wire 30 inserted therein ismanufactured by inserting the orthodontic wire 30 into the hollowportion of the orthodontic member 10, and the wire covered with themember is attached to crooked teeth using a resin. A restorative forceis generated in the wire that is bent along the form of the crookedteeth, and is transferred to the teeth in the form of an orthodonticforce capable of moving the teeth by means of the resin adhesive.Simultaneously, the orthodontic member, which is water-soluble orbiodegradable, is dissolved in the mouth, and thus, a clearance isformed between the wire and the resin, whereby the teeth may move in asliding manner along the wire.

For the sake of working process, the orthodontic member may betransparent or may have any color selected from among white, red, blue,yellow, green, and mixtures thereof. Specifically, the color thereof maybe transparent, or may include white, black, red, yellow-red, yellow,yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue, blue-purple, purple, orred-purple.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, marks 100, 200, 300 may be formed onthe orthodontic member 10 so as to facilitate the working process.

The center mark 100 representing the center in a longitudinal directionof the orthodontic member 10, the working mark 200 representing adistance from the center of the orthodontic member, or the end mark 300representing the end of the orthodontic member may be provided.

The center mark may be represented by a predetermined color depending onthe size of the inner diameter or the outer diameter of the orthodonticmember.

The center mark may have a thickness of 0.1 to 5 mm.

The working mark may be provided in at least one working length on oneside or both sides of the center mark.

The end mark may be formed on one end or both ends of the orthodonticmember in the longitudinal direction.

The color of the mark may be any one selected from the group consistingof white, red, blue, yellow, green, and mixtures thereof, and a specificexample thereof may include white, black, red, yellow-red, yellow,yellow-green, green, blue-green, blue, blue-purple, purple, orred-purple. When the orthodontic member having marks formed thereon isused, the center of the orthodontic member may be easily aligned withthe center of the wire using the center mark, and the working length maybe easily determined from the center of the orthodontic member using theworking mark, and the end of the orthodontic member may be easilychecked using the end mark.

Below is a description of a composition for an orthodontic member,suitable for use in preparing the water-soluble or biodegradablematerial according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, the composition for an orthodonticmember may include a water-soluble or biodegradable material and asolvent including water. The coating composition for an orthodonticmember may be used to coat an orthodontic wire or to manufacture anorthodontic member having a hollow portion.

Preferably, the composition for an orthodontic member may include 10 to100 parts by weight of the water-soluble or biodegradable material and20 to 990 parts by weight of the solvent including water.

As the water-soluble or biodegradable material, any material may be usedso long as it is dissolved or decomposed in the mouth. Preferably, thewater-soluble or biodegradable material may include at least oneselected from among gelatin, starch, a starch derivative, cellulose, acellulose derivative, plant gum, agar, algine, an alginic acid salt,carrageenan, chitosan, a chitosan derivative, pectin, dextran,hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol,polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol,polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, biodegradable polyamide,biodegradable polyurethane, and biodegradable polyester.

The biodegradable polyamide may be polylactic acid or modifiedpolylactic acid.

The water-soluble or biodegradable material may further include, basedon 100 parts by weight of the at least one selected from among gelatin,starch, a starch derivative, cellulose, a cellulose derivative, plantgum, agar, algine, an alginic acid salt, carrageenan, chitosan, achitosan derivative, pectin, dextran, hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide,polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyethyleneglycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide,biodegradable polyamide, biodegradable polyurethane, and biodegradablepolyester, 1 to 200 parts by weight of a compound represented byChemical Formula 1 below.

In Chemical Formula 1, n is any one integer from 1 to 8.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 preferably includessorbitol and glycerin.

More preferably, the water-soluble or biodegradable material includes,based on 100 parts by weight of gelatin, 5 to 100 parts by weight ofglycerin and 1 to 100 parts by weight of sorbitol.

The water-soluble or biodegradable material may further include 1 to 250parts by weight of purified water.

The gelatin has a jelly strength of 30 to 500 bloom, and preferably 100to 400 bloom.

Jelly strength is a typical physical property of gelatin. The bloomvalue is used to show the strength of gelatin, and jelly strength may bedefined as the force that is required to press a 6.67% gelatin solutionto a depth of 4 mm from the surface thereof using the plunger of a jellystrength meter in accordance with British Standard (BS) 757.

Also, the water-soluble or biodegradable material may include acellulose derivative that is a compound represented by Chemical Formula2 below.

In Chemical Formula 2, R is independently a hydrogen atom, a deuteriumatom, a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C1 to C6 hydroxyalkyl group, n is arepeating unit, and the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 has anumber average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 9,000,000.

The polyethylene glycol is preferably a solid having a weight averagemolecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 100,000.

The water-soluble or biodegradable polymer may include modified starchand plant gum.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 may be hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC).

As for the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, the degree of substitution ofa methoxy group may be 15 to 30%, and the degree of substitution ofhydroxypropoxy may be 4 to 32%.

The hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose may have a viscosity of 1 to 35 mPa·sat a temperature of 20° C. in a 2 wt % aqueous solution.

The solvent may further include a linear or branched C2 to C9 alcohol.The weight ratio of water to alcohol in the solvent may range from 100:0to 5:95.

The composition for an orthodontic member may further include at leastone stabilizer selected from among a sorbic acid salt, a salicylic acidsalt, and a benzoic acid salt.

The amount of the stabilizer may be 0.01 to 5 parts by weight based on100 parts by weight of the water-soluble or biodegradable material. Ifthe amount of the stabilizer is less than 0.01, no conservation effectmay be exhibited. On the other hand, if the amount thereof exceeds 5parts by weight, the mechanical properties of the resulting orthodonticmember may deteriorate.

The composition for an orthodontic member may further include acolorant.

The colorant may include a natural edible colorant, a tar-based ediblecolorant, beta-carotene, copper sulfate, ferric oxide, caramel, copper,sodium iron chlorophyllin, or titanium oxide.

The coating composition for an orthodontic member may further include0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a surfactant.

The surfactant may include polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, fatty acidmonoglycerin ester, fatty acid polyglycol ester, fatty acid sorbitanester, fatty acid sucrose ester, fatty acid alkanolamide, or apolyethyleneglycol condensed nonionic surfactant.

The polyethylene glycol may be a solid having a molecular weight rangingfrom 1,000 to 100,000.

In addition, the present invention may provide an orthodontic composite,comprising an orthodontic member having a tube shape, a hollow polygonalprism shape, a hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape, a hollowtruncated cone shape, or a funnel shape, and an orthodontic wire that isinserted into the hollow portion of the orthodontic member, and theorthodontic member may include a water-soluble or biodegradablematerial.

Below is a description of a method of manufacturing the orthodonticmember according to the present invention.

First, a water-soluble or biodegradable material and purified water aremixed, thus preparing a composition for an orthodontic member (step a).

The composition for an orthodontic member may further include a compoundrepresented by Chemical Formula 1 below.

In Chemical Formula 1, n is any one integer from 1 to 8.

Step (a) is the preparation of the composition by mixing gelatin,glycerin, a sorbitol solution and purified water. The solvent of thesorbitol solution may be water.

The water-soluble or biodegradable material may be a compoundrepresented by Chemical Formula 2 below.

In Chemical Formula 2, R is independently a hydrogen atom, a deuteriumatom, a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C1 to C6 hydroxyalkyl group, n is arepeating unit, and the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 has anumber average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 9,000,000.

The C1 to C6 alkyl group is preferably —CH₃, and the C1 to C6hydroxyalkyl group is preferably —CH₂—CHOH—CH₃.

The method may further include, after step (a), step (a-1) formaintaining the composition at 50 to 100° C. Step (a-1) is performedpreferably at 55 to 95° C., and more preferably 60 to 90° C.

In the above temperature range, the components for the composition maybe uniformly mixed.

Although step (a-1) is preferably performed for 2 to 6 hr, theprocessing time may vary depending on the temperature at step (a-1).Also, step (a-1) may further include a defoaming process, performed in avacuum.

Step (a-2) for maintaining the composition at 50 to 65° C. may befurther performed after step (a-1). Step (a-2) is conducted preferablyat 53 to 62° C., and more preferably at 54 to 60° C.

Next, a wire is prepared, and the surface of the wire is coated with thecomposition, thus giving the wire coated with the composition (step b).

The coating process in step (b) may vary depending on the gellingtemperature of the composition. In the case of a material having a lowgelling temperature, the composition may be uniformly applied on thewire at a temperature equal to or higher than the gelling temperature.In the case of a material having a high gelling temperature, thecomposition may be uniformly applied on the wire at a temperature equalto or lower than the gelling temperature. For example, gelatin is gelledat a low temperature and thus is preferably subjected to a coatingprocess at a temperature equal to or higher than the gellingtemperature, and HPMC is gelled at a high temperature and thus ispreferably applied at a temperature lower than the gelling temperature.

The orthodontic member may have a tube shape, a hollow polygonal prismshape, a funnel shape, a hollow truncated cone shape, or a hollowtruncated polygonal pyramid shape.

Next, in the wire coated with the composition, the composition is dried,thus obtaining the wire and an orthodontic member containing the wire inthe hollow portion thereof (step c).

Step (c) is preferably performed at a temperature of 25 to 30° C. and arelative humidity of 20 to 40%, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. Step (c) may be carried out until the composition reaches astate of equilibrium. This process may be performed for 12 to 72 hrunder the above conditions.

In step (c), the composition may be hardened into a gel that is close toa solid. When the orthodontic member is applied to orthodontictreatment, it is preferred to have strength suitable for maintaining thehollow portion, as well as flexibility to an extent that it does notbreak even upon bending of the orthodontic wire so as to be adapted tothe state of arrangement of the teeth.

Finally, the wire is removed from the orthodontic member containing thewire therein, yielding the orthodontic member (step d).

After step d, treating the surface of the orthodontic member with oil(step d-1) may be further performed.

The oil may include mineral oil, silicone oil, vegetable oil, etc.

In order to facilitate the dental operation by an operator, theorthodontic member into which the wire is inserted may be provided.

MODE FOR INVENTION Examples

A better understanding of the present invention may be obtained throughthe following examples which are set forth to illustrate, but are not tobe construed to limit the scope of the present invention.

Preparation Example 1: Preparation of Coating Solution

430 parts by weight of gelatin (made by Geltech, 250 bloom) wasdispersed in 390 parts by weight of water, after which 140 parts byweight of glycerin was added thereto and mixed therewith. Thereafter, 5parts by weight of a sorbitol solution (70% concentration) dissolved inwater was added and uniformly dispersed. Subsequently, gelatin wasdissolved for 60 min at 90° C. and defoaming was carried out in a vacuumat 700 mmHg at 65° C. for 30 min. The defoamed solution was aged at 60°C. for 6 hr, thereby preparing a coating solution.

Preparation Example 2: Preparation of Coating Solution

A coating solution was prepared using hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose(HPMC) having a viscosity of 6 mPa·s in a 2 wt % aqueous solution. 585parts by weight of purified water and 1 part by weight of potassiumsorbate were added and mixed together, and the resulting solution washeated to 90. The solution at 90 was added with 220 parts by weight ofHPMC and 194 parts by weight of ethanol and mixed for 2 hr, thusdissolving the HPMC. The prepared composition was aged at 55 for 12 hr,thereby yielding a coating composition for an orthodontic member.

Example 1: Manufacture of Water-Soluble Tube

The coating solution of Preparation Example 1 was placed in an immersionbath that was maintained at 45° C. A stainless steel linear wire havinga length of 100 mm and a diameter of 0.5 mm was fixed using fixingscrews, and was then coated with paraffin. The wire was immersed in thecoating solution and immediately taken out of the coating solution, thusuniformly coating the wire with the coating solution. Thereafter, dryingwas performed at room temperature and a relative humidity of 25% for 24hr, followed by removing the wire, thereby obtaining an orthodonticmember.

Example 2: Manufacture of Water-Soluble Tube

The coating solution of Preparation Example 2 was placed in an immersionbath that was maintained at 20. A wire having a length of 100 mm and adiameter of 0.5 mm was fixed using fixing screws, and was then coatedwith paraffin. The wire was immersed in the coating solution and wasimmediately taken out of the coating solution, thus uniformly coatingthe wire with the coating solution. With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4,drying was performed at room temperature and a relative humidity of 25%for 24 hr, after which the coating layer was marked with a white centermark, working marks and end marks using an edible colorant, and the wirewas removed, thereby obtaining an orthodontic member having white marksformed thereon.

Example 3: Manufacture of Wire-Assembled Orthodontic Member

A wire was inserted into the orthodontic member of Example 1, thusmanufacturing a wire-assembled orthodontic member.

Example 4: Manufacture of Wire-Assembled Orthodontic Member

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a wire having a center line markedthereon was inserted into the orthodontic member of Example 2 having thecenter mark, the working marks and the end marks thereon, so that thecenter line was aligned with the center mark, thus manufacturing awire-assembled orthodontic member.

Test Examples Clinical Test Example 1: Orthodontic Treatment UsingOrthodontic Member

The clinical test process for orthodontic treatment using thewater-soluble tube of Examples 1 and 3 is illustrated in FIG. 7, and thefront and side photographs thereof are illustrated in FIG. 8.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a nickel-titanium wire was insertedinto the water-soluble tube of Example 1 outside the mouth, and thewire-inserted tube was directly attached to the teeth. As a result, itwas shown to be applicable even to the back teeth.

Therefore, the water-soluble tube of Example 1 had a simple structureand an aesthetic appearance, was comfortable in that soft tissueirritation was not caused by the device, and enabled oral cleanliness tobe easily maintained.

Clinical Test Example 2: Orthodontic Treatment Using Orthodontic Member

The clinical test process for orthodontic treatment using thewire-assembled orthodontic member of Examples 2 and 4 having the wireinserted into the hollow portion thereof is illustrated in FIG. 9, andthe front and side photographs of the teeth using the orthodontic memberare illustrated in FIG. 10.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the orthodontic member of Examples 1and 3 was directly adhered to the teeth. As a result, they were shown tobe applicable even to the back teeth.

Therefore, the wire-assembled orthodontic member of Example 4 had asimple structure and an aesthetic appearance, was comfortable in thatsoft tissue irritation was not caused by the device, and enabled oralcleanliness to be easily maintained.

Clinical Comparative Test Example 1: Orthodontic Treatment UsingConventional Braces

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the side cross-sections of thewater-soluble tube-shaped orthodontic member according to the presentinvention, conventional braces, and conventional small hollow tubes, andFIG. 11 illustrates the orthodontic results using the conventionalbraces.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 11, the conventional braces were adheredto the teeth and then tied such that the wire was not removed from thebraces using ties. As a result, the braces, having a large andcomplicated structure, and their ancillaries irritated the soft tissuein the mouth.

Therefore, the conventional braces had a complicated structure and apoor aesthetic appearance, irritated the soft tissue in the mouth, andmade it difficult to maintain oral cleanliness.

Clinical Comparative Test Example 2: Orthodontic Treatment Using HollowTubes

The photographs for orthodontic treatment using conventional hollowtubes are illustrated in FIG. 12.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 12, the conventional hollow tubes wereadhered to the teeth and the wire was inserted so as to sequentiallypass through the hollow tubes. As such, since it is impossible to insertthe wire from the back of the throat, these tubes were applied topartial orthodontic treatment, which was limited only to the frontteeth.

Therefore, the hollow tubes may be applied to partial orthodontictreatment limited only to the front teeth, and a long period of time isrequired to insert the wire.

The scope of the present invention is shown by the claims which will bedescribed later, and all variations or modifications deduced from themeanings, scope and equivalents of the claims should be construed asbeing included in the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the present invention, a water-soluble or biodegradableorthodontic member can be provided.

Also, the present invention can provide an orthodontic member, whichfacilitates the insertion of a wire and the attachment to the surface ofthe teeth using an adhesive and enables simple orthodontic treatment.

Also, the present invention can provide an orthodontic member, which isdissolved or biodegraded after a predetermined period of time for theorthodontic treatment, thus forming a clearance between the wire and theadhesive, whereby the teeth can easily move in a sliding manner alongthe wire.

Also, the present invention can provide an orthodontic member having ahollow portion, wherein a center mark is formed on the orthodonticmember, and thus when a wire having a center line marked thereon isassembled with the orthodontic member by being inserted into the hollowportion thereof, the center of the orthodontic member can be easilyaligned with the center line of the wire.

Also, the present invention can provide a method of manufacturing suchan orthodontic member.

1. An orthodontic member, which has a tube shape, a hollow polygonal prism shape, a hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape, a hollow truncated cone shape, or a funnel shape, and includes a water-soluble or biodegradable material.
 2. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the orthodontic member having the tube shape has an inner diameter of 0.2 to 1.0 mm and a thickness of 0.001 to 0.5 mm.
 3. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the hollow polygonal prism shape is an n-gonal prism shape, in which n is any one integer from 3 to
 20. 4. The orthodontic member of claim 3, wherein the orthodontic member having the hollow polygonal prism shape has a cross-section of a hollow polygonal shape, a circle inscribed on the hollow polygonal shape has a diameter of 0.2 to 1.0 mm, and the orthodontic member having the hollow polygonal prism shape has a thickness of 0.001 to 0.5 mm.
 5. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape is an n-gonal hollow truncated pyramid shape, in which n is any one integer from 3 to
 20. 6. The orthodontic member of claim 5, wherein the orthodontic member having the hollow truncated polygonal pyramid shape has a cross-section of a hollow polygonal shape, and a ratio (F/f, p) of a maximum diameter (F) to a minimum diameter (f) of a circle circumscribed on the hollow polygonal shape is 1<p≤10.
 7. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein a ratio (E/e, q) of a diameter (E) of a maximum inner circumference to a diameter (e) of a minimum inner circumference in the orthodontic member having the hollow truncated cone shape is 1<q≤10.
 8. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the orthodontic member having the funnel shape is provided in a form in which a hollow truncated cone is connected to one end of a hollow cylinder.
 9. The orthodontic member of claim 8, wherein in the orthodontic member having the funnel shape, a ratio (D/d, r) of a diameter (D) of a maximum inner circumference of the hollow truncated cone to a diameter (d) of an inner circumference of the hollow cylinder is 1<r≤10.
 10. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the orthodontic member is transparent or has any one color selected from the group consisting of white, red, blue, yellow, green, and mixtures thereof.
 11. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the orthodontic member has a mark formed thereon.
 12. The orthodontic member of claim 11, wherein the mark includes at least one selected from among a center mark representing a center in a longitudinal direction of the orthodontic member, a working mark representing a length from the center of the orthodontic member, and an end mark representing an end of the orthodontic member.
 13. The orthodontic member of claim 12, wherein the center mark is represented by a predetermined color depending on a size of an inner diameter or an outer diameter of the orthodontic member.
 14. The orthodontic member of claim 13, wherein the center mark has a thickness of 0.1 to 5 mm.
 15. The orthodontic member of claim 13, wherein the color is any one selected from the group consisting of white, red, blue, yellow, green, and mixtures thereof.
 16. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble or biodegradable material comprises at least one selected from among gelatin, starch, a starch derivative, cellulose, a cellulose derivative, plant gum, agar, algine, an alginic acid salt, carrageenan, chitosan, a chitosan derivative, pectin, dextran, hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, biodegradable polyamide, biodegradable polyurethane, and biodegradable polyester.
 17. The orthodontic member of claim 16, wherein the water-soluble or biodegradable material further comprises, based on 100 parts by weight of the at least one selected from among gelatin, starch, a starch derivative, cellulose, a cellulose derivative, plant gum, agar, algine, an alginic acid salt, carrageenan, chitosan, a chitosan derivative, pectin, dextran, hyaluronic acid, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, biodegradable polyamide, biodegradable polyurethane, and biodegradable polyester, 1 to 200 parts by weight of a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 below:

in Chemical Formula 1, n is any one integer from 1 to
 8. 18. The orthodontic member of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble or biodegradable material comprises a compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 below:

in Chemical Formula 2, R is independently a hydrogen atom, a deuterium atom, a C1 to C6 alkyl group or a C1 to C6 hydroxyalkyl group, n is a repeating unit, and the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2 has a number average molecular weight ranging from 1,000 to 9,000,000.
 19. A method of manufacturing an orthodontic member, comprising: preparing a composition for an orthodontic member, comprising a solvent including water and a water-soluble or biodegradable material; coating a wire with the composition; drying the wire coated with the composition, thus preparing the wire coated with the water-soluble or biodegradable material; and removing the wire from the wire coated with the water-soluble or biodegradable material, thus obtaining the orthodontic member having a hollow portion. 